Walter marsh jackson



(No Model.)

W. M. JACKSON. SPRING MISSILE PROJECTOR. No. 372,981. Patented NOV. 8, 1887.

N. FEIERS. PnnmLimo n hu, wamm vun. 04c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC WALTER MARSH JACKSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.-

SPRING MISSILE-PROJECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,981, dated November 8, 1887.

Application filed September 2, 1887. Serial No. 248,623. (No model.)

in Spring Missile-Projectors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and ex--.

act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved spring gun or sling.

The object of my present invention is to produce a simple compact device that will cast a bullet, stone, or other suitable missile with accuracy, and that may be substituted for detonating fire-arms for. the killing of birds or small game, in the hands of apracticed expert being equally as effective, and having the advantage of a noiseless discharge of the projectile.

With this object in view my invention consists in'certa-in features of construction and combinations of parts, that will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation in perspective of the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation in section of the springgun. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of the spring missile-throwing device. Fig. 4 shows a different method of constructing the missile-receptacle of the barrel.

The shell A is made of a proper length and consists of a metal tube that may be cast into form or drawn from sheet metal in the usual manner. At one end the shell is partially closed by an annular flange, A, the outer edge of which is either made integral with or is secured to the end of the shell. A to produce a shoulder, a, upon which is seated the spiral spring B.

The spring 13 is of such an outside diameter of coil as to slide easily within the shell A, so that if compressed it will not be cramped, but

be free to regain'it's normal length without A metal tubular barrel, 0, is provided that is of such a relative diameter to the hole in the flange A as to slide freely through it into the coil 'of the spiral spring B. At the end b of the shell A that is opposite the flanged end A the barrel 0 has an outwardly-proj ected flange, 0, formed integral with its body or affixed thereon by any suitable means. This flange c affords a shoulder at right angles to the bore of the barrel 0, and when the parts are in as sembled position, as shown in Fig. 2, the flange 0 will have a bearing upon one end of the spiral spring B, while the opposite end of the spring is seated upon the inner surface of the flange A. To rear end of the barrel 0 (see Figs. 1 and 2) the conoidal termination D is formed or secured by any proper means. The conoidal portion D of the barrel 0 is designed to receive the missile, which must be of asize to slide loosely down the barrel and freely enter the conoidal chamber just mentioned.

Upon each side of the missile-chamber D proper-sized perforations p are made to expose the opposite sides of the bullet or other missile when it is deposited in this chamber, so that when the thumb and finger of the marksman are applied to seize the conoidal chamber the yielding flesh of these members will enter the perforations in the sides of the chamber D and grip upon the bullet or other missile contained in it,holding it in place until discharged.

When the weapon is to be used, it is loaded, as just indicated, and the missile gripped between the thumb and fingers of the operator. The barrel is now drawn back to fully compress the spring ]3, when, aim being taken,

the sudden release of the gripped conoidal end D of the barrel 0 will permit the barrel to resume its normal position, and the shock of its arrest when the spring is fully expanded will impart the stored energy of the spring to the projectile which has been released, causing this missile to leave the barrel with aforce proportionate to the strength of the spring employed.

In Fig. 4 an equivalent device for holding and releasing the missile is shown.

At the end d of the barrel 0 a flexible pouch, D, is secured. This pouch is preferably made of leather, but may be made of other material. The preferred method of fastening the tube and pouchis shown in Fig. 2. The pouch or bag D is made of conoidal shape, with the free end e of a proper diameter to allow its edge to lie in the grooved edge eof the end of the barrel G and receive a binding-ring, f, within said edge. The metallic edge of the barrel is now turned inwardly upon the ring f, so as to bring it and the pouch in rigid connection with the end of the barrel 0 and in effect form ayielding pouch-like bottom to the end of the barrel.

The shape and size of the pouch D should be such as to allowit to receive a bullet, small round stone, or other suitable missile, which is first inserted into the outerend of the barrel Cl and by gravity assumes its position in the cavity of the pouch.

A handle, F, is affixed to the shell A at right angles to it. This handle may be made with a ring, F, to slide over the shell and be secured to it, or if the shell is made of cast metal may be formed integral therewith.

Proper sights may be ailixed to the shell A, at the front and rear end of the same, and on the side of the shell opposite to the handle In use the missileprojecting device is first loaded by the insertion of abullet or stone into the pouch, thehandle F is grasped in the left hand, and the pouch, with its contained projectile, is pinched between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, proper aim may be taken, and the missile in its pouch drawn rearward] y, so as to compress the spiral spring B. A release of the pouch D will allow the tension of the spring to forcibly throw forward the barrel 0, which will be arrested by the shoulder, which is produced at the rear end of this barrel in the formation of the groove 0 upon the end of the barrel. Theimpinge of the barrel upon the end of the outer shell, A, will transmit the energy of the spring to the missile, and it will be forcibly projected from the barrel in the direction aimed.

In the modified form of the shooter shown in Fig. 3 the spring-barrel is dispensed with, and one or more gum strips, G, are substituted for the spring. The retractile force ofthe gu n1 strips is utilized in an obvious mannerto give an impetus to the missile which is located in the sliding barrel 0, the other parts of this modification being identical with the first-described and preferred form of construction.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a spring missile-projecting device,the

combinatiomwith a shell, of an actuated barrel adapted to slide in the shell, said barrel having a missile'chamber located in its rear end outside of the shell, substantially as set forth.

2. In a spring missile-projecting device,the combinatiomwith a shell,of an actuated barrel adapted to slide in the shell, said barrel having a shoulder thereon to limit its outward movement and a missile-chamberlocated in its rear end, substantially as set forth.

3. In a spring missile-projecting device, the combination, with a tubular shell, ofaspringactuated barrel adapted to slide in the shell and a flexible pouch at one end of the barrel, substantially as set forth.

4-. In a spring missile-projecting device, the combination, with a tubular shell, of a spiral spring adapted to slide within the shell,abarrel that slides in the coiled spring,and a flexible pouch affixed at one end of the barrel.

5. The combination, with a tubular shell and a coiled spring located therein, ofa barrel having aprojecting flange on one end adapted to present an abutment for thespring confined between it and the end of the shell, said barrel having a Inissile-chamber in its rear end and a shoulder for preventing the entrance of the missile-chamber in the shell, substantially as set forth.

6. In aspring missile-projecting device, the combination, with a barrel, a shell, and a spiral spring located between them, both the barrel and spring being adapted to move together endwise, of a perforated conoidal chamber affixed to one end of the barrel to close it and to receive a missile, substantially as set forth.

7. In a missile-projecting device, the combination, with a tubular shell and a containing spiral spring seated on the flanged end of the shell, of a barrel having a flange on its outer end, which is adapted to form a seat for the adjacent end of the spiral spring, and a flexible missile-holding pouch affixed to the rear end of the barrel, its grooved seat affording a stop for the barrel to limit its forward motion when it is actuated by the spiral spring, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER MARSH JACKSON.

\Vitnesses:

GEO. T. GADEN, G120. M. WARD. 

